Variable indicia sign

ABSTRACT

A variable indicia sign for use in retail merchandising and the like which has a plurality of windows through which shopper sees indicia such as price. The indicia in each window is formed on a continuous tape, the position of which is controlled externally and which can be varied by the merchandiser to accurately and selectively bring into view the desired information. The structure of the device allows for easy adjustment by authorized personnel but effectively precludes customers from varying the indicia.

United States Patent Kelly VARIABLE INDICIA SIGN [72] Inventor: John J. Kelly, 2 Normandie Place,

Cranford, NJ. 07016 [22] Filed: Dec. 1, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 93,999

[52] US. Cl ..40/96 [51] Int. Cl ..G09f 11/26 [58] Field of Search ..40/86-95, 96-965, 40/100 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,163,128 6/1939 McGill ..40/86 2,192,257 3/1940 Champion et al. ..40/86 2,757,466 8/1956 Lurcott et al ..40/86 1,663,168 3/1928 Mack ..40/95 3,513,578 5/1970 Slavsky ..40/96 2,127,997 8/1938 Huston et al. ..40/86 [451 Oct. 17, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 309,062 8/1955 Switzerland ..40/96.5

Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michel] Assistant Examiner-4. I-I. Wolff Attorney-Amster & Rothstein [57] ABSTRACT A variable indicia sign for use in retail merchandising and the like which has a plurality of windows through which shopper sees indicia such as price. The indicia in each window is formed on a continuous tape, the position of which is controlled externally and which can be varied by the merchandiser to accurately and selectively bring into view the desired information. The structure of the device allows for easy adjustment by authorized personnel but effectively precludes customers from varying the indicia.

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ATTORNEYS VARIABLE INDICIA SIGN The present invention relates generally to display signs and particularly to a displayed sign having means for varying the information on the sign. The device in the present invention is particularly useful in retail merchandising wherein there are large numbers of items being sold at different prices and in different amounts and where the prices may vary from day to day depending upon sales promotions, etc.

In the mass merchandising now practised by a large number of retail distribution chains, merchandise is dis played on open counters with signs indicating primarily price information but also indicating the number of units of merchandise contained in a package, whether the merchandise is on a special sale at the given time, etc. In a given merchandising area, there may be hundreds, if not thousands, of individual signs of this type, each one of which carries somewhat different information.

The problem for the retail merchandiser is well defined. He must either carry literally thousands of cards in stock with all of the possible variations or, alternatively, he must constantly have cards made up on a custom basis to comply with his ever changing merchandising requirements. I

The solutions of custom made signs for each occasion and keeping a large inventory of different signs are both unsatisfactory; they are unduly expensive, they require an inordinate amount of time in the ordering or obtaining of cards for individual item display and, even with the relatively high expense of the cards, the cards appear messy, they become soiled rather quickly and they make less than a perfect appearance with the merchandise.

It would be desirable to have a sign construction which could be variable by the merchandiser but which would appear as a handsome, neat and relatively tamper proof construction to the customer. Specifically, it is desirable to have a sign which, when merchandise is placed on the counter, can be easily varied by the merchandiser to display those indicia which are relevant to that particular merchandise and, when the merchandise is changed, or the price is changed, the sign can be simply changed on the spot. It is further desirable that such a sign could not be easily changed by a customer and which would thereby occupy a relatively permanent position on the sales counter. Since the mass merchandising business is well established and since there are tremendous investments made in current fixtures for the use of the current types of simple board signs, it is also desirable that such a variable display sign be compatible with the sign mounts and other merchandising fixtures now currently in use in mass merchandising retail establishments.

Although attempts have been made in the past to provide variable indicia signs, these attempts have not been successful. Among other things, it is necessary to have a large number of windows for todays mass merchandising activities. In addition to the three or 1 four windows needed simply to display a three or four digit price, additional windows are desirable to display such information as sale, for, and, other specialized indicia and blank spaces for the stores own use to add still further material. Workable means to provide these requirements have not been available.

Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved variable indicia sign. It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide such a sign having a sufficient number of windows, each window being provided with a sufficient number of indicia to be useful for the complex demands of current retail mass merchandising.

It is further within the contemplation of the present invention to provide an improved, variable indicia merchandising sign in which the means for displaying the indicia are all contained within the body of the sign and such that no external elements have to be added to the sign in order to produce the possible variations.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a compact, variable indicia sign which may be mounted on existing store fixtures and which may be varied by the merchandiser in accordance with his various merchandising plans free of any requirement to have large numbers of signs in stock or to have special order signs constantly made up for each new change in merchandising. I

It is further within the contemplation of the present invention to provide such a variable indicia display sign in which the display information is fixed in position by the merchant and cannot be varied by the customer.

In accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a variable indicia display sign which has a front face which has a series of five horizontally adjacent windows. Through each of these windows there may be viewed indicia which are printed .on continuous loops of tape, one mounted for movement behind each of the windows. Means are provided such that the position of the tape behind the windows may be selectively varied. These means may be a series of rods over which the tapes are looped to compress into a relatively small vertical space the relatively long continuous length of loop necessary for the amount and size of the indicia required for each tape. Means are provided which can change the position of the tape with respect to its respective window. The position of the tapes can be adjusted from without the display sign by an authorized person, but which cannot be changed by a customer in the store.

The above brief description, as well as further other objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be best appreciated by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a variable indicia sign in accordance with the present invention with portions of the structure broken away and in section for purposes of disclosure. The device is shown mounted on a conventional retail store sign bracket;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1 showing two signs in accordance with the present invention, one mounted on each side of a conventional sign bracket;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the adjustment means arrangement utilized :in accordance with the presently preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3 illustrating the positive locking mechanism used in the present illustrative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 1 illustrating the sliding shield to expose or cover the decimal point on the face of the sign;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the device taken along the line 66 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows illustrating the looping arrangement for the tapes in the sign;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the loop arrangement of the tape behind the first window;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the loop arrangement of the tape behind the fourth window;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows illustrating the means by which two signs are secured to each other on a conventional mounting bracket; and

FIG. 10 is an overall elevational view illustrating a variable indicia sign in accordance with the present invention and mounted on a bracket in typical use.

FIG. 11 is an enlargedperspective view of a conventional sign bracket having attached thereto a pair of variable indicia signs in accordance with the present in- I vention.

Now referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 10 a composite structure 10 including a variable indicia sign mounted on a sign bracket 12. The bracket 12 is of the conventional type having a U-shaped channel of metal designed to receive the normal printed card. Rather than the normal printed card, however, there is mounted on the bracket 12 a variable indicia sign 14 in accordance with the present invention. The sign has a front wall 16 in which is formed a series of viewing windows labelled 18 through 26 respectively, 18 representing the first window and 26 representing the fifth window. Through the viewing windows 18 through 26 are visible variable indicias for whatever purpose is desired. Normally, the user will use the sign 14 to indicate the price of merchandise offered for sale. Below the viewing windows 18 through 26 is a further display area on which is mounted a display card 28 held in position by conventional mounting means 30. In use, the storekeeper can vary the material in the windows 18 through 26 in a large variety of combinations and can place any kind of card 28 within the mounting means 30.

As may be best seen in FIG. 1 the variable indicia sign 14 is formed of a front wall of stiff plainer material which both provides the front surface of the sign as well as has structural functions. The front wall 16 is secured at its left-hand edge to frame member 32 and at its right-hand edge to frame member 34. At the bottom there is a bottom frame member 36 and at the top, a top framemember 38. A very thin backing sheet may be provided to protect the internal elements. Adjacent the outer edges of the bottom frame 36 are formed mounting tabs 42 (see FIG. 6) which hook over the lower part of the overall conventional metal sign frame 12, to support the weight of the variable indicia sign 14. The variable indicia sign 14 is further secured to the bracket 12 by means of securement screws 44 (see FIG. 9) with a male member 44a on the left-hand side of the sign and a female member 44b on the right-hand side such that the securement screws 44 can combine to tie together two variable indicia signs on opposite sides of a bracket. This arrangement is shown with the signs 14 and 14a in FIG. 2. Of course, a wide variety of securement means may be employed to mount signs in accordance with the present invention for display.

Mounted behind each of the viewing windows 18 through 26 are continuous tapes here designated by the numerals 46 through 50. These tapes are mounted on a plurality of tape support rods of which there are eight in number in the device illustrated herein. There is a first group of six lower rods 54 through 64 (numbered from the top down) positioned at spaced intervals below the viewing windows. In addition, there are a pair of upper rods 66, 68 positioned above the viewing windows and the uppermost rod is here designated by the numeral 66 and the one below it designated by the numeral 68. The material of the rods 54-68 and the material of the tapes are such that the tapes smoothly slide over the rods except in one area in which a special friction material is employed. Specifically, rods 54 through 62 have a specific control function as will be defined below and in the area in which they contact their respective controlled tape, they are covered with a friction material, here designated by the numeral 70, such that when that particular rod is turned, the tape in contact with the friction material is moved along its length.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 6 and 7, description will be made of the threading arrangement of the tape 46 on the rods. The tapes are continuous in nature. It is desired that they be long enough to carry a variety of information and to contain their lengths the tapes are looped and the loop is folded, Specifically, tape 46 is threaded through a degree turn over its respective driving rod at a driving loop designated by the letters DL. At this point, the tape 46 contacts the friction material 70 such that rotation of the driving rod 54 will cause movement of the material of the tape 46. Both sides of the tape then continue upwardly with one side going above the uppermost rod 66 in a top loop designated TLl and the other side of the tape goes through a 180 degree turn about the rod 68 in a loop designated TL2. Between the driving loop DL and the top loops TL, the tape 46 passes behind the viewing window 18 such that the indicia on the tape may be viewed from the outside of the sign. Both sides of the tape 46 continue downwardly to the lowermost rod 64 and the tape is deployed around that rod at a bottom loop BP. It has been found convenient for positioning to have both sides of the tape pass in front of the rod 56 and thereafter to split with the one-half going in front of the rods 58, 60, 62 and the other half going behind those rods.

Now referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, it will be seen that the other tapes are woven about the rods in a generally similar manner with a folded loop. In the right-hand portion of FIG. 6 and in the schematic view of FIG. 8, there is illustrated the tape configuration in the 4th location and for purposes of the present description, the same numerals will be used here as are applicable to the 4th location on the variable indicia sign 14. Specifically, tape 49 is deployed in front of the viewing window 24 and its movement is controlled at a driving loop DL by rod 60 which is provided with friction material 70 at the point which it contacts the tape material. The tape extends upwardly and is engaged about the top red 66 at a top loop TLl and about the second uppermost rod 68 at the top loop TL2. From the top loops TLl and TL2, the tape extends downwardly and is engaged about the lowermost rod 64 at the bottom loop BL and, in-between, simply for purposes of holding the tapes in position, one leg of the tape is deployed around the intermediate rod 56.

The means by which the tapes are retained against transverse movement from side to side of the sign 14 is best shown in the sectional view of FIG. 9. In FIG. 9 there is shown both of the variable indicia signs 14 and 14a mounted on opposite sides of the support bracket 12. Again, for purposes of ease of description, the elements of both signs 14 and 14a will be described with the same numerals since those signs are, in all respects, identical. A guiding and backing structure, generally designated by the numeral 72 is mounted on the rear face of the front wall 16 of the sign. It is comprised of a horizontal strip 74 which is positioned behind the viewing windows 18-26 and spaced therefrom a distance sufficient to allow the tapes 46-54 to pass between the strip 74 and the inside surface of the front wall 16 of the sign. The horizontal strip 74 is attached to the front wall 16 by a plurality of spacing and guiding blocks 76, which are secured to the rear face of the front wall 16 between each of the viewing windows and at the extreme ends of the viewing window area. Thus, each one of the indicia-carrying tapes 46-54 are positioned between spacing and guiding blocks 76 which effectively limit the possible transverse movement of the respective tapes within the sign 14 and thereby retain the tapes in proper position behind their respective viewing windows. The provision of the horizontal strip 74 adds further protection for the tape material and provides solid backing support to resist any possibility of puncturing of the tapes by anyone who might press against the viewing windows. The spacing and guiding blocks 76 may either be separately secured to the front wall 16 or be integrally formed therewith. Where the horizontal backing strip 74 is used, the individual tapes loops must be formed after being threaded through the space behind the viewing windows or the strip 74 applied to the block 76 after the tapes are in place.

Reference should now be made to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, for a description of the mechanism by which the position of the tapes behind their respective windows can be varied. The rods 54 through 68 are each mounted for rotation in the side frames 32, 34. These are most simply provided by just forming bearing holes in the left-side frame 32 to the proper depth and through holes in the right-side frames 34. At the right-hand end of each of the rods 54 through 62 (the rods which have a driving function for the tapes 46 through 54) there is provided a squared off key section 78 which mates with an appropriate key 80 for easy turning of the respective rods. Specifically, a key 80 has a square key receptacle 82 which mates with the key section 78 of the rods. A bored-out portion 84 is formed in the side edge of the right-hand frame member 34 to receive the key member 80 and the respective rods 54-62 terminate just short of the extreme side edge of the side frame 3 member 34. By this expedient, it is impossible for a consumer to turn the rods but it is a very simple matter for the retailer to get to the rods by use of the simple key member 80, thereby to change the position of the tapes at will and thereby to change the information displayed on the variable indicia sign 14.

In order to insure that the tapes are not moved by someone simply placing his finger into the respective viewing windows and pushing the tapes, means are provided to lock the tapes in position. This is simply provided by a locking plate 86 which is slideably mounted on the inner face of the right-hand frame member 34 by means of a pair of mounting bracket 88, one at each end of the plate 86, secured with appropriate means ans such as the screws 90. The locking plate 86 and both brackets 88 are formed such that the plate may be moved vertically as indicated by the arrow 92. The locking plate 86 is provided with a series of tapered slots 94, one for each of the rods 54, 56, 58, 60 and 62, and those rods are threaded through the respective tapered slots 94. Bushings 96 of friction material are secured to the rods at that location. When the locking plate 86 is in its lower position, there is no contact with the rods or the friction bushings 96. However, when the locking plate 86 is moved upwardly, the narrow end of the tapered slot 94 moves about the rods and the friction bushings 96, engaging same and clamping them against rotational movement. The locking plate 86 is controlled in its vertical movement by means of a rack 98 formed on the plate and a pinion 100 carried by an auxiliary rod 102 mounted within the side frame member 34. The auxiliary rod 102 is also provided with a squared off key section 78 which can be manipulated by the key member 80. It will be readily appreciated that upon rotation of the auxiliary rod 102, the pinion 100 engages the rack 98 and thereby moves the locking plate vertically between its locked position when raised and its unlocked position when lowered.

The female securement screw 44b is provided with a key section 440 (see FIG. 9) which. is adopted to fit the key member 80. Thus, the signs can be mounted and demounted by a Storekeeper by the same tool that he uses to change the indicia. Prevent or pilferage is thereby accomplished.

As an added convenience, a permanent decimal point 104 may be inscribed on the front face of the sign 14 immediately to the lower left of the 4th viewing window 24 and can be covered, in those instances in which it is not needed, by means of a sliding shield 106 secured around the part of the wall 16 between the windows 22, 24 as most easily seen in FIG. 5.

The device described above and the present invention in general will be best understood by considering the following description of the use of a variable indicia sign constructed in accordance with the invention. Initially a conventional sign bracket 12 has attached thereto a pair of variable indicia signs 14, 14a by means of the securement tabs 42 and the securement screws 44. The Storekeeper then sets each of the signs 14, 14a particular the particular indicia which is required for his particular merchandising situation. Typically, in a five window system, the various tapes as numbered from left to right would contain the following indicia:

9 9 9 9 9 sale O 0 0 blank sale for 00 00 for and blank blank blank blank Of course, for special circumstances, tapes having any kind of indicia may be employed. Nevertheless, the retailer, by use of the key member 80, moves the locking plate 86 into its lowered unlocked position and then, tape by tape, positions the proper indicia behind the respective viewing windows. This is done by rotating the respective rods 54 through 62 which in turn moves the tapes 46 through 54.

Numerous variations in the structure described can be made while still retaining the basic teachings of the present invention. Obviously, the entire structure can be covered with a clear transparent protective shield, the individual windows can be separately covered with transparent material, variations in the driving mechanisms can be employed, different blocking mechanisms can be utilized or, indeed, the locking mechanisms can be eliminated if protection is given for the viewing windows of if it is unnecessary to lock the tapes in position, the mounting mechanisms for the tapes can be in any desired configuration, the framing l. A variable indicia marking and pricing sign for use in retail merchandising and the like comprising a sign body including a front wall formed with a series of windows through which a viewer may see indicia from the outside of said sign body, frame means having top and bottom ends supporting said front wall, mounting means for supporting said body in a vertical orientation, a series of continuous indicia carrying tapes, one for each of said windows positional behind said front wall and in position for a portion of each tape to be viewed through a different one of said windows, a plurality of support rods in a vertical plane and parallel to said front wall, arranged one above the other and extending from side to side of said body for mounting each of said continuous tapes in folded loops for movernent along their lengths to position selected portions thereof at said windows, said windows being formed on next to the other along a horizontal line, said support rods including a group of folding rods located adjacent one of said ends, each of said continuous tapes being folded over said folding rods, said support rods further including a group of driving rods located adjacent said other end, each of said continuous tapes being looped around and driven by a different one of said driving rods, said support rods further including a looping rod adjacent said other end, each of said continuous tapes being looped around said looping rod, and control means operatively engaged with each of said driving rods to selectively control the position of each of said tapes at its respective window.

2. A variable indicia sign in accordance with claim 1 wherein said driving rods have means attached thereto and operable from without said sign for rotating said drivin rods a d thereb drivin said t es to chan e the po sition ot said tape behint? said wiiibows there y to adjust the indicia visible through said windows.

3. A variable indicia sign in accordance with claim 2 wherein said driving rods are rotated by means of an external key which may be operatively engaged with said driving rods and wherein said driving rods cannot be rotated without the use of said key.

4. A variable indicia sign in accordance with claim 3 having locking means to secure said tapes against movement comprising a positive clamp engaged with each of said rods in said second group.

5. A variable indicia sign in accordance with claim 4 wherein said locking means is activated and deactivated by said external key.

6. A variable indicia sign in accordance with claim 2 including locking means to secure said rods against rotation and to thereby lock said tapes against movement.

7. A variable indicia sign in accordance with claim 1 having locking means to secure said tapes against undesired movement.

8. A variable indicia sign in accordance with claim 1 wherein a pair of said signs are mounted back to back with their front faces oriented in opposite directions and wherein each of said signs displays information on opposite sides of said composite arrangement. 

1. A variable indicia marking and pricing sign for use in retail merchandising and the like comprising a sign body including a front wall formed with a series of windows through which a viewer may see indicia from the outside of said sign body, frame means having top and bottom ends supporting said front wall, mounting means for supporting said body in a vertical orientation, a series of continuous indicia carrying tapes, one for each of said windows positional behind said front wall and in position for a portion of eacH tape to be viewed through a different one of said windows, a plurality of support rods in a vertical plane and parallel to said front wall, arranged one above the other and extending from side to side of said sign body for mounting each of said continuous tapes in folded loops for movement along their lengths to position selected portions thereof at said windows, said windows being formed one next to the other along a horizontal line, said support rods including a group of folding rods located adjacent one of said ends, each of said continuous tapes being folded over said folding rods, said support rods further including a group of driving rods located adjacent said other end, each of said continuous tapes being looped around and driven by a different one of said driving rods, said support rods further including a looping rod adjacent said other end, each of said continuous tapes being looped around said looping rod, and control means operatively engaged with each of said driving rods to selectively control the position of each of said tapes at its respective window.
 2. A variable indicia sign in accordance with claim 1 wherein said driving rods have means attached thereto and operable from without said sign for rotating said driving rods and thereby driving said tapes to change the position of said tapes behind said windows thereby to adjust the indicia visible through said windows.
 3. A variable indicia sign in accordance with claim 2 wherein said driving rods are rotated by means of an external key which may be operatively engaged with said driving rods and wherein said driving rods cannot be rotated without the use of said key.
 4. A variable indicia sign in accordance with claim 3 having locking means to secure said tapes against movement comprising a positive clamp engaged with each of said rods in said second group.
 5. A variable indicia sign in accordance with claim 4 wherein said locking means is activated and deactivated by said external key.
 6. A variable indicia sign in accordance with claim 2 including locking means to secure said rods against rotation and to thereby lock said tapes against movement.
 7. A variable indicia sign in accordance with claim 1 having locking means to secure said tapes against undesired movement.
 8. A variable indicia sign in accordance with claim 1 wherein a pair of said signs are mounted back to back with their front faces oriented in opposite directions and wherein each of said signs displays information on opposite sides of said composite arrangement. 